January 27, 2014 2:15pm ESTJanuary 27, 2014 2:15pm ESTPeyton Manning and the Broncos have dominated the NFL landscape this season. Can they finish the job against the Seahawks? Matt Lutovsky breaks down Super Bowl XLVIII.Peyton Manning(AP Photo)

Peyton Manning, QB, Broncos. The Seahawks allowed just 11.1 fantasy points per game (FPPG) to quarterbacks this year, by far the lowest in the league. Manning put up 5,477 passing yards and 55 passing TDs, by far the most of all-time. Snowy weather could be a factor, and Seattle's defense will make life difficult for Manning, but he rarely leaves stats on the field. Manning will live up to his lofty price tag.

Marshawn Lynch, RB, Seahawks. Lynch has totaled 249 rushing yards and three TDs this postseason, and his matchups (NO, SF) were both tougher than Denver. The Broncos have been lights out in the playoffs (64.5 rushing yards per game), but Lynch is a different animal. He'll get 20-plus carries and either wear down the Broncos' defense or bust a big play early -- possibly both. Lynch is probably the safest fantasy play of anyone in this game.

4-Star Players

Demaryius Thomas, WR, Broncos. Seattle's Richard Sherman might be the best corner in the NFL (he certainly thinks he is), but Thomas hasn't really been shut down by anyone this year. He's upped his game in the playoffs, catching 15 of 20 targets for 188 yards and a pair of touchdowns. What makes Thomas so dangerous is that he can get open downfield or turn WR screens into big catch-and-runs. Sherman (and the rest of Seattle's elite secondary) will be a factor, but Thomas is still the best bet among WRs in this game.

3-Star Players

Knowshon Moreno, RB, Broncos. A rib injury cost Moreno playing time in the AFC Championship game, but he's expected to be ready for the Super Bowl. His level of effectiveness is a different story, though. It's fairly common for a player to suit up in the Super Bowl but not be close to full strength (think Rob Gronkowski in 2012), so Moreno comes with more risk than usual. The matchup is brutal, too, as the Seahawks allowed just 13.7 FPPG to running backs (tied for third fewest), which includes just 32.1 receiving yards per game to RBs (23rd). Moreno was used as a workhorse during much of the regular season, doing major damage as a receiver and a runner, and with Denver's high-powered offense, he should get a few chances around the goal line. Again, much of his value depends on his health, but for now, fantasy owners should view him as a decent starting option.

Eric Decker, WR, Broncos. Decker hasn't done much in the playoffs, catching just seven of 13 targets for 105 yards. But this isn't anything new for Decker, who often went through dry spells during the regular season before exploding for 20-point performances. He'll have the best individual matchup of Denver's receivers, squaring off against Brandon Browner-replacement Byron Maxwell. Maxwell is no slouch and has plenty of size (6-1, 207), so Decker will still have to work, but he has upside despite Seattle's tough defense.

Wes Welker, WR, Broncos. Few teams have a "Welker type," let alone one who's nearly as good as Welker, so he could prove to be a tough cover for the Seahawks. Perhaps the closest they've come to facing someone like Welker this year is either St. Louis' Tavon Austin (2 catches for 9 yards against them) or Jacksonville's Ace Sanders (2-25), both of whom they shut down. Possession receivers like Kendall Wright (5-69) and Lance Moore (2-12) didn't move the needle much, either. Welker's best attribute is his shiftiness around the goal line, which helped him catch 11 touchdowns in 15 games (counting the postseason). He's a bit of a wild card, but like the rest of Denver's receivers, he has upside.

Julius Thomas, TE, Broncos. Thomas was the No. 3 fantasy tight end during the regular season and has caught 14 of 18 targets for 161 yards in two playoff games. The Seahawks were tough against TEs, like they were against every position this year, but comparatively, it was their worst-defended position. Thomas isn't a normal TE anyway, so fantasy owners can feel relatively confident with him. He might lose some value if he's matched up with Kam Chancellor around the goal line, which would negate his usual height advantage in that area, but Thomas is still a legitimate weapon in the Broncos' offense.

Matt Prater, K, Broncos. Prater has missed just two field-goal attempts all year (counting the playoffs) and hit seven of eight from 50-plus yards. Perhaps even more important is that he's gone 13 of 13 -- and two of two on 50-plus yarders -- away from Denver. Seattle gave up just 6.75 FFPG to kickers in the regular season (third fewest), but Prater should be fine as long as the weather is decent.

Russell Wilson, QB, Seahawks. Wilson has done little in the playoffs this year (318 passing yards, TD, 16 rushing yards), but fantasy owners shouldn't forget that he finished the year as the No. 8 fantasy QB. The potential is there for a big game against anyone, and Denver has given up its fair share of fantasy points to QBs (21.3 per game during the regular season; 22.7 during the playoffs). With Percy Harvin (concussion) expected back, Wilson will have a dynamic playmaker to get the ball to, which should help his overall numbers.

Percy Harvin, WR, Seahawks. There's hardly any tape on Harvin this year, so the Seahawks definitely have the element of surprise in their favor. Based on what we saw in the divisional-round game against New Orleans before Harvin got hurt, Seattle will make a concerted effort to get him the ball in space, whether on runs or short passes. If he's close to 100 percent, he could be a very dangerous player and spring for at least one big play against Denver's good-but-not-great defense. The upside here is huge, but so is the risk. One big hit could knock Harvin out of the game, and his rustiness could hamper him in a variety of ways. If you're looking for the highest-upside lotto ticket in this contest, Harvin is your guy.

Steven Hauschka, K, Seahawks. Like Prater, Hauschka has missed just two kicks all year, which is even more impressive since he has nine more field-goal attempts. What evens them out is Prater's slightly stronger leg -- Hauschka has hit just three from 50-plus yards. Denver allowed 7.69 FFPG to kickers during the regular season (23rd), so there isn't much difference between the two in terms of matchup. You can't go wrong with either kicker.

Seahawks defense/special teams. The Seahawks ranked second in D/ST fantasy points this year, trailing only Kansas City. They have no glaring weaknesses, ranking first in points allowed and interceptions. However, the Broncos allowed just 5.6 FPPG to D/STs while ranking first in points scored and fewest sacks allowed and tying for fifth in fewest INTs thrown. The absence of CB Brandon Browner (suspension) hurts the Seahawks, but the potential for inclement weather gives them a slight bump. They're the better of the two units in this game, but fantasy owners can't expect a monster performance.

2-Star Players

Broncos defense/special teams. The Seahawks were tied for 10th in sacks allowed (44), which is really their only Achilles' heel. The Broncos tied for 13th (41) in sacks, which is their main attribute. The loss of pass-rusher Von Miller (knee) hurts, but Denver still had six sacks in two playoff games without him. At the very least, the Broncos will get after the quarterback, and they could easily pressure Wilson into a few mistakes.

Golden Tate, WR, Seahawks. Tate has done little over the past eight games, save for a big performance in Week 17 against the Rams, and he hasn't looked any more like Seattle's No. 1 receiver than Doug Baldwin or Jermaine Kearse. Rarely do Seattle's receivers get more than seven targets, and the NFC Championship game proved just how equal Tate (6 targets), Baldwin (7) and Kearse (5) are. It's a good matchup, as Denver allowed the 11th-most FPPG to WRs during the regular season, but you're basically flipping a coin if you pick between these three guys. Harvin's expected return makes the decision even more difficult.

1-Star Players

Montee Ball, RB, Broncos. Ball has seen double-digit touches in each of Denver's playoff games, but he's totaled just 108 yards without scoring. If Moreno's rib injury is more serious than the Broncos are letting on, Ball would have legit value; for now, he's little more than a lotto ticket against Seattle's relentless defense.

Zach Miller, TE, Seahawks. Miller was a playoff factor last year, but he's only seen four targets in two postseason games this year. The Broncos gave up 8.8 FPPG to tight ends (tied for sixth most), so Miller could get a couple shots at a big play, but fantasy owners can't bank on that given his lack of looks.